Jurors recommend life sentence for ex-soldier

ROLLA, Mo. (AP) -- A Missouri jury has recommended a life sentence for a former soldier convicted in the beating death of his girlfriend's 18-month-old son.

The Missouri attorney general's office said Friday that jurors recommended 29-year-old Ryan Evans receive a life sentence for child abuse resulting in death, plus 30 years for second-degree murder.

Evans, formerly of La Center, Wash., was stationed at Missouri's Fort Leonard Wood and living with the child's mother at the time of Skyler Barrett's death on Oct. 23, 2006.Medical examiners said Skyler had bruises on his head and died from "a very forceful impact" on his face.

Evans denied hitting the child.

The trial was moved from Pulaski County to Phelps County on a change of venue.